(Newser)
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Nancy Pelosi is kicking off the 111th Congress with a rule change, and Republicans are not pleased, reports the Hill. The move institutes new restrictions on motions to "recommit," squashing a tactic that allowed the outnumbered GOP to delay bills to stymie Democrats. “This is not the kind of openness and transparency that President-elect Obama promised,” GOP leaders wrote in response.

While she’s at it, Pelosi is also removing the 6-year term-limit for committee chairmen from the House rules. A feature since the Republicans took the House in 1994, this rule got an unexpected—and temporary—lease on life when Pelosi kept it on the books after the Democrats’ 2006 win.